Gerald Wayne Burns

Gerald "Gerry" Wayne Burns passed away peacefully at his home under the care of his loving daughter Sandy and son in law Arvo Lakanen on May 11, 2016 in Grayling, MI at the age of 90. Gerald is survived by his children Nancy G. Burns (Rod Wilkins) of Prescott, AZ, Sandra E. Lakanen (Arvo) of Grayling, MI and Susan K. Miller (Robert) of Ashland, WI. Grandchildren Wayne, Diane, Timothy, Matthew, Amy, Kristin, Brian and Great-Grandchildren Jasmine, Braden, Daniale, Nicole, Natalie, Felix, Hannah, Kaitlyn and Patrick. His brothers Dale (Mary) Burns of Redlands, CA and Clare (Karen) Burns of Traverse City, MI. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (Dody) F. Burns, of 60 years in 2010, his parents Earl and Violet (Seaman) Burns, and his in-laws Harris and Hildagard (Petsch) Farrington. Gerry was born on March 23, 1926 on the Burns Family Farm near Central Lake, MI. He graduated from Grayling High School in 1944 and he enlisted in the U.S. Army for about two years. After honorable discharge he attended Wayne State in Detroit, MI and obtained a B.A. in accounting in 1952. While boating on Lake Margrethe in Grayling, MI he met Dolores Farrington, a nursing student at Grace Hospital School of Nursing and they married in 1950 and began their life together when Nancy was born in 1952. Gerry's first job was in Gaylord, MI as an insurance agent and they moved to Traverse City, MI to take a job with John Deere as an accountant, where Sandy was born in 1953. In 1957, the family moved back to Grayling, MI where he took a job as chief accountant for Bear Archery and soon after Susie was born in 1958. The Burns family remained in Grayling until 1973, when Gerry, Dody and Susie moved to Pennsylvania for 2 years and then moved to Wisconsin and then onto Illinois and Iowa where he worked for McLean Fogg as a comptroller until his retirement in 1996. Upon his retirement, Gerry and Dody returned to his hometown of Grayling, MI. He was an active Lutheran throughout his life after his confirmation in 1963 in Grayling. He was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Grayling School Board, numerous church councils, The Elks Club, American legion, Crawford Co. Commission on aging, and Meals on Wheels. Earlier in life he enjoyed both water and snow skiing, boating, fishing, golfing, bowling, and playing cards with friends. After retirement he bought an Ausable riverboat and spent many hours fly fishing with old friends. He also continued golfing and fishing and went on a final fishing trip to Canada in 2011 with his grandson, Brian and two son in laws Bob and Arvo. A Memorial Service was held on May 17,2016. at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church. Gerald and Dolores' cremains were buried together at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be sent to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church or the Crawford County Commission on Aging. Condolences may be sent to the family at 210 North Park Drive Grayling, MI 49738. Condolences may be sent to www.sorensonlockwood.com Arrangements by Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Wayne Burns, please visit our flower store.